| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
In 1999, the Kitimat Smelter became the first industrial facility in British Columbia to obtain a multi-media environmental permit from the provincial government. This permit comprehensively addresses multiple emissions, effluents and solid waste, sets limits and establishes monitoring and reporting requirements. The multi-media permit replaced a number of previous permits and is a key regulatory compliance benchmark for the smelter operations. The permit provides guidelines for a results-oriented environmental management approach. The Kitimat smelter combines the permit guidelines with other proactive strategies to facilitate vigilant compliance monitoring and regular communications with public and private stakeholders. The multi-media permit mandates annual reporting to measure performance against established permit standards. This Annual Environmental Report is provided to the provincial government and is also available to the public. The environmental performance of the Kitimat smelter in 2008 was similar to its performance in the previous year. Changes in the source and quality of raw materials (alumina and green coke) reduced process control. Action plans were developed to address 12 non-compliances that occurred during 2008. The Kitimat Modernization Project is a smelter upgrade that will result in a significant reduction of emissions. The 2008 Annual Environmental Report is available online at www.riotintoalcaninbc.com located under the Annual Reports menu. The website also provides information on key environmental performance indicators. Questions or comments are welcome and may be directed to Corporate Affairs at (250) 639-8760. operational overview; environmental management and certification; effluents; emissions; air quality monitoring; vegetation monitoring; waste management; groundwater monitoring; Kemano; permits; non-compliance; spills; environmental permits; Kitimat; Nechako Reservoir; continuous improvement initiatives |
